Is this Russian girl scamming me? How to recognize scammers

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Are you an American or Western European man exchanging emails with a girl from Russia? I was contacted by a girl who turned out to be a scammer. Reader Derrick put together some great advice how to detect scammers.
I only have one advice (#8) to add: If a Russian girl tells you that she will get a visa to the USA instead of inviting you, that is - under the current immigration law - a SURE sign that SHE LIES.

Here is the process how a Russian woman can come to the USA:

If she is considered a relatively young/ attractive woman (let's say under 40, hope I don't hurt anyone's feelings here), then there is virtually NO CHANCE THAT SHE GETS A TOURIST VISA TO THE USA. First the Russian Federation will not allow her to leave the country. Then, even if she was getting out, the USA will deny her admission. The reasoning is that she is considered a risk. How could she not be a risk? If she had family in Russia (husband, children) or a valuable business or real estate. Most likely the woman who writes you will be considered a risk. The only way for her to get a visa into the USA is this procedure:

1. GOOGLE or websearch the first part of the scammers first emails and/or 'profile'. SEE HOW MANY OTHER SITES their listed on! RECORD THOSE SITES FOR FUTURE REFERENCE. THAT alone can give you a good idea IF your dealing with a scammer OR not.
   
2. GOOGLE or websearch the return email address. See how many 'hits' come from that search and also note all the sites. (many times you'll see the email end up on a 'scammers list') IF YOU FIND THE EMAIL ADDRESS LISTED ON A SCAMMER LIST - don't bother further, your only fooling yourself - no matter what excuse they might give you.
   
3. FROM THE START - ASK FOR SPECIFIC INFOMATION! A full name, address, phone number - something. OFFER THE SAME in exchange, except make it a P.O. box and a CELL PHONE rental card that will protect your identity. If you see your requests ignored, which you usually will, don't waste your time further.
   
4. ALWAYS ASK SPECIFIC QUESTIONS that would REQUIRE A SPECIFIC ANSWER outside the use of FORM LETTERS. IF YOU FIND your questions go unaddress in your reply emails from 'them/her' - YOUR DEALING WITH A SCAMMER. Again, don't bother further.
   
5. DON'T WAIT 6 MONTHS to offer to talk with the PROSPECT by phone! WHAT A TOTAL WASTE OF TIME! IF THERE IS CHEMISTRY OR APPEARS 'INTEREST' BETWEEN THE TWO OF YOU - then sieze the opportunity. ARRANGE A PHONE CALL! International rates to Russia and most places are reasonably cheap. IF YOU GET THE REPLY ' I'M SO POOR I DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO A PHONE' - drop the whole thing, your only wasting your time and WILL BE SCAMMED at some point in the future.
   
6. PHOTO FLOOD! IF IT/SHE/HIM/THEM - LOOK TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE - THEN IT PROBABLY IS! MOST IF NOT ALL OF THE SCAMMES USE PHOTOS OF MODELS IN THEIR HOME COUNTRIES TO POSE ON THE NET IN THEIR PROFILE(s)! Consider this - IF THEY LOOK like a MODEL then tell you they're so poor they don't have access to a phone - YOUR BEING SCAMMED!
   
   ASK FOR A SPECIAL PHOTO TO BE TAKEN. IF YOU SENT YOURS, HAVE THEM TAKE A PHOTO SHOWING THEM HOLDING UP YOUR PHOTO IN THE PICTURE! That is a good 'scammer filter' - even the most adept with Photoshop will easily be spoted.
   
   BETTER STILL - ASK THEM TO TAKE A PHOTO THAT SHOWS THEM HOLDING A CURRENT NEWPAPER OF YOUR CHOICE OR THEIR COUNTRY, WITH A RESOLUTION THAT YOU CAN READ THE DATE! NOT some low grade - grainy photo! FEW WILL EVER DO THAT.
   
   AT THE LEAST - ASK THEM FOR A PHOTO of them wearing a specific combination of clothes and/or colors - something different then the usual 'model clothing' - most use to send out. OR AN OBJECT - TOASTER, ELECTRIC CLOCK, BY A COUCH, IN A ROCKING CHAIR something that would be very hard to use PHOTOSHOP to just PUT in another FILE PHOTO.
   
   *** IF this person is real or sincere, they won't mind doing this for you! ALSO - offer to do the same for their comfort also - that is only fair.
   
7. IF THINGS GET SERIOUS - then ASK THEM TO DELETE ALL THEIR OTHER WEB PROFILE POSTS! CHECK ON THE ONES YOU NOTED EARLIER! Again, IF THEIR SINCERE - they will - happily as your their DREAM and future!
   
8. If she talks about getting a visa or that she needs money to get a travel visa to the USA, she lies. See the proper course of action described at the top.

Comments:

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2008-02-18, 00:36:34

rudiwillemse@yahoo.com from South Africa

rudi here. thank mike for the info on the pic..the only problem i have is that this woman answers all my letters to the t.we speak over the fone and i have tried to catch her out but no luck.she wanted to come here to visit.i said im not sending her money,insted i will visit her and she agrees 100%.she didnt ask for money again,instead she wants to know when im coming. any comments on this. thanx Keywords:

2008-02-18, 01:27:44

anonymous from Germany

Thank you, very interesting and informative, I received several letters from several girls during the last 6 monts - and have found them here again .... ;-)))) With different names as they wrote me ....

2008-02-18, 04:08:04

OJAS from United States

newbie proteas see general information posts in the welcome thread http://www.delphifa..2412.shtml

2008-02-18, 04:11:15

anonymous

Hi! Here I would like to share some ideas about Russian women... In general the above mentioned info is true - the way that a Russian woman can get a visa to the USA. The only 1 statement (above) is NOT to the point: the Russian Federation will not allow her to leave the country. NOW in Russia nobody (government) cares where a Russian citizen will go (unless he is a criminal/or holds a national secret). I can leave Russia at any moment. The only problem is that Russian young women are NOT welcome in the West. That is absolutely TRUE. USA/West European embassies do not want to isse visas for us. They call us 'risk group'. One more comment Shengen visa (visitation) can be issued ONLY when people know each other IN PERSON. That means that a Russian woman and a European man must FIRST meet in Russia or somewhere else, and THEN he can invite her to his home country. She cannot get visa (visitation, not travel) if they never met in person. I decided to put my ideas here not just to protect myself and/or other Russian women who have decent and honest intentions to find their life partner, but seen by Western men as scammers just because they are from Russia. No. I do admit that scammers happens among Russian women, but not all Russian women are like that. I would like to ask a question here. How many out of you WILL go to Russia to meet a woman there if you are interested in a relationship? 1 out of 100? Less? When I explained to men that I could not just go to Europe that they had to come to Russia first, men viewed that way as 'too complicated'. They did not want to move their ass (sorry). Quite many men thought that they could buy a ticket to a woman and a woman would fly to them, and then 'serve' them (in bed). That is true. Or should I mention how many Western men dissapear on the eve of their 'planned' visit to Russia after several months of their promises?? They just disappear/or say some silly reason (car accident, even cancer!!) for not coming... I am not kidding! They are playing on emotions, actually NEVER having any intention to go to Russia. It is avery safe game to play on a woman who has no chances (visa) to come to man's home country and 'check' a man, who and what he REALLY is... They flatter themselves that a beautiful woman is interested in them. And after they get tired for 1 woman, they get another.... Never ending process for some online 'lady hunters'... They never send a shity present, even a postcard. Do you know the explanation? All Russian women are scammers and I will not send you anything! I never asked for a cent or a present. And I do beleve that an honest woman will never ask anything from a man... If you are not sure in a woman, do not send her anything, why to send? If you believe a woman, why not to send her a (cheap) souvenier, a postcard? Or men became so cheap that a postcard is too much expensive to send?? Is a postcard of the city where a man lives such a big issue? It is just an example how things can go... Should I mention HOW some Western men come to visit a Russian woman? A man comes, stays at her, she walks him, feeds him, pays for his attractions.. and then his credit card does not work... or somehow he has no ticket back... So he takes money from a Russian woman (that usually she borrows and then finds herself in deep debts) saying that he will refund everything when he is back home. Of course NO word from him since he's gone... When I was telling that to my fiancee he was shocked! He said that he felt like womiting how Western men mistreated Russian women... And then he said: And there's so many debates in the West that Russian women are scammers! Why noone mentions that Western men behave like shit?? It is all up to you, how to behave. But miracles can hadly happen our days... Any realtionship needs time and efforts from BOTH sides to develop... Not when one is a giver and the other is a taker... If one cannot understand this, then he must blame himself for his stupidity/failures...

2008-02-18, 05:09:18

anonymous from United States

Look in 'Other Scams' under 'UK National Lottery Scam' and you will find the Camelot Group memtioned I believe.

2008-02-18, 05:15:54

anonymous from Spain

Sorry but I don't speak well english but I hope you understand me. Do you Know this letter? Do you received the same? And what is your opinion? Is a scammer? Hello Fernando I am very glad that you have answered my letter, and have become interested in me. I very much wish to learn about you more: about your hobbies, work, your city, interests, dreams. I wish to see your photos. And it is final, I would like to learn, what woman you wish to see near to yourselves. My city is in the centre of Russia, in Krasnoyarsk region. It on distance of 3300 kilometres from Moscow. My city one of the oldest cities in Siberia. You heard about Siberia? Kansk a city old, to it 370 years recently were executed. Population of a city about 100 thousand persons. My city costs on river Kan. It is a little about itself. My name is Kseniya. To me of 25 years, I live in city Kansk. I work as the tutor in a kindergarten, very much I love children, I like to work with them, to look after, watch that as children grow on my eyes, to look at their happy, carefree smiles. I like my work. I live with mum on the third floor of five floor houses. At us one room for two. In the childhood when I was 12 years old my daddy have killed in the street gangsters. It has very much affected my character and the relation to a life. I became strong and purposeful. Still we have a small summer residence in 10 kilometers from a city where we grow up various fruit and vegetables. There I have a rest in weekend, there it is beautiful also pleasant pure air. It so weakens after difficult week on work. Itself very cheerful and cheerful person, with good sense of humor. Since the childhood parents brought up me fair, noble, sympathetic, kind. I very much love sports, in the childhood was engaged in volleyball, I like this game, because it first of all command game where the success of a duel depends on everyone. As it is very mobile game, I like an active way of life. I run every morning in park which is near to the house. In general in movement there is my life. I carefully watch the figure. In the summer with friends we often go in campaigns on the nature. We have a rest on the bank of various reservoirs, there it is possible and to bathe and sunbathe. It is pleasant to me in the winter, to walk on wood, There it is very beautiful and romantic, I often would represent myself with the person which have warmed me the love and heat. After wood we with friends usually come to me home where while all are heated I have time to prepare something tasty, I like to prepare for somebody, and especially if it was the favorite person. I am able to cook food since the childhood. It is obligatory in sew to a family and in general in Russia, that each girl should well and is tasty to cook food. My date of birth on November, 5th, 1982 births. A zodiac sign - the Scorpion. I am lonely at me was not present boyfriend. At me was boyfriend, but we have left a floor of year back. I do not have brothers and sisters. I do not smoke and I do not drink. I can drink a few red wine and champagne. My growth - 167 centimeters. My weight - 48 kg. My favorite color - white. I like flowers - yellow roses. I Have ended pedagogical institute. There I studied English and the Spanish language. But as you see, it is not perfect, and I am sorry for errors in the letter. Now I go on courses of studying of English and the Spanish language. Mine a lack that I am unduly trustful to people. And consequently often suffered from the lack. In the dreams I see the strong man behind which back I would feel myself small and fragile that to me was on whom to lean during the difficult moments of my life and certainly the man should be the owner in the house and in a life, but also listen to opinion favorite it too should. The man of my dream: loving and tender with which it is easy and pleasant to spend time. I want, that such man has sometime met on my way. I am adjusted on long and serious relations. Best wishes Kseniya This image was also posted here: Dating scammer kseniya Dating scammer kseniya Dating scammer Ksenia Lihacheva from Diwnogorsk, Russia Keywords:

2008-02-18, 08:38:05

OJAS from United States

Dirk, your efforts in action http://www.delphifa..p=1#76200 PS I could not readily find any of your active threads, settled on this thread to draw your attention - Dankjewel! :-))

2008-02-18, 08:51:45   (updated: 2008-02-18, 09:05:12)

anonymous from Germany

Fernando Yes, this is a typical scam letter. We have got it here some hundred times. Follow the blue headline above your pic. Kseniya is already here. OJAS This one is quite interesting: http://www.delphifa..1#comments

2008-02-18, 11:28:12

anonymous from Germany

A short video clip from Cell Phone it must not be yours phone, and she must talk about your - like this 'Hi Jack, im your big Love Irina from Kiew...!' Then you are sure that she is real and know you. BUT IT IS NOT SURE THAT SHE IS NOT A SCAMMER! Look at Rudis Nice Girl Fake picture. Better A video clip from cell phone you cant fake this. What is if you travel to Russia or Ukraine to you DREAM GIRL and your DREAM GIRL are some ugly guys and hit your the fuck out, steal your money, your pass and so on... You go to the corrupt russian police! THINK, you write some person in russian / ukraine and she knows somethings about you. You have never seen that person in real. But a person is waiting for you and this person knows you face. I think this is the new scam. It is easy and better for scammer to wait for some victims in her own Backyard. You stupit tourist stand alone! Nothing is safe - but think about! Mick

2008-02-18, 11:57:43

anonymous

Hi! New Ukrain Scammer! Lada / Rima / Anna Keywords:

2008-02-18, 12:05:06   (updated: 2008-02-18, 12:05:37)

Peter from Germany

Mick Ahh, I see you read the Rozhentsova thread. That's what was described there. For us germans are much better ways to get known to russian ladies if we like that. We got about 2 mio of them here. Women I mean! Most of them are still 'off' but reachable by newspaper for example.

2008-02-18, 19:44:23

davdickinson@optusnet.com.au from Australia

girlforlove2008 E-mail Address(es): girlforlove2008@gmail.com Hello my dear David! I am not able to write a long letter, just a short message to notify that I am constantly thinking about you!!! I am very very thankful to you for taking care about me and our relations!! It is seen at once that you are a serious man and you know what you want in this life! I like this feature in people very much and of course I am very happy that you are such a man. You are the man from the capital letter M!!!!! The Translator has sent the price list to you and all the explanations cause I am really stupid in all these things. She says you can make transfer in mine name as well: you can open site www.westernunion.com or www.MoneyGram.com and chose your country, in this case you will be able to make transfer on-line or find an agent which situated in your city with their numbers and addresses. You will need to know my full name Diana Zelenova, country - Ukraine, city - Krasnodon, postal code - 91280, address - Lenin street 56/12, bank - Privatbank. I with my passport will need to come to the bank and tell a control number which you need to send me. I will wait for your email like crazy and I can't stop thinking that you are the best man in the world.I will take off my profile as I want to stay with you only... I feel with all my inside that we are standing before something big and special! Please, write me back soon.I kiss you tenderly and wait for you with big big impatience!!! Your Diana Dear Sir, Thank you for your interest in Diana Zelenova. We send a document about our registration (you can see we are legal) We propose a subscription which includes unlimited quantity of letters: * 1 month - 140$ (include pictures and phone conversations) * 2 month - 210$ (include pictures and phone conversations) If you wish we can to arrange English or German languages courses for your lady: * basic course:3 times a week,2 hours per day, lasting 2 month - 420$ * basic course:3 times a week,2 hours per day, lasting 1 month - 225$ Terms of payment * https://wumt.westernunion.com/info/osMoneyTransfer.asp- if you are can not make your transfer by Internet, you can find on this site a local agent transfer your money via the Western Union system in USA dollars. The address is: Western Union, country Ukraine, city Kiev, Bank Privatbank You have: to send your money, indicating our manager's name as a receiver (Tamara Samsonova) or directly to your lady's name to inform us of the date of transfer, the money transfer control number (send an e-mail with information) Hope for our future cooperation. Sincerely Yours Marina Maximo Keywords:

2008-02-18, 20:03:31

Dirk from Heerlen, Netherlands

OJAS, I answered your question on the Thread you meant. Scamlish? Everybody can do it! Just keep my answer in mind! Scamlish begins with correct English (not Russian). LOL Another active Thread http://delphifaq.co..612.shtml We ARE doing a good job here, OJAS.

2008-02-19, 04:54:37

anonymous from Ireland

NADYA Keywords:

2008-02-19, 10:48:20

anonymous

David, The mashakarlova@yahoo.com is a fake. She sent me the exact email you posted here....word for word....except for the name of course. And there seems to be dozens of others. Be careful.

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